The most anticipated openings on the cards for Brisbane this year
And we’re off! The new year has begun and we’re firing on all cylinders to start 2025. We have a feeling this is going to be a big year for Brisbane’s food scene, with a number of big-name openings already on the cards for the next 12 months. From a new location for Agnes Bakery and a high-end Cantonese-inspired restaurant to hip ramen joints and chic London-style supper clubs, there’s plenty to look forward to. Here are our picks for the most anticipated openings in Brisbane for 2025 …
Idle, New Farm: New Farm’s current renaissance is set to continue into 2025, with the team at Anyday (the hospitality juggernaut behind top-tier restaurants Agnes, Biànca, sAme sAme, LOS and hôntô) making a move into the suburb in the coming months. The team will be relocating and transforming Agnes Bakery – its lauded pandemic-born bakery concept turned James Street staple – into full-service cafe Idle. The venue will see the team expand the offering beyond its signature pastries, breads and cakes, delivering a menu of cooked-to-order seasonal dishes and salads, alongside take-home fridge and pantry fillers like house-churned butter, handcrafted sauces and marinades. Agnes Bakery will continue trading on James Street until Idle’s debut. That’s not all the Anyday crew has in store for 2025, with some big plans underway over in The City …
Coal Trade House in The City | Credit: James Frostick
Golden Avenue, Brisbane City: In the second half of the year, Anyday will lift the cloche on Golden Avenue at 67 Edward Street in the heart of Brisbane City – a Middle Eastern-inspired eatery boasting a lush, garden-inspired terrace. Golden Avenue will draw upon the expertise of Anyday co-owner and chef Ben Williamson and group head chef Adam Wolfers, with both culinary maestros leveraging their mastery of Levantine cuisine to create a modern menu that will feature hot and cold mezze, flatbreads, charcoal-grilled meats, seafood and more. Following Golden Avenue’s debut, Anyday will shift its focus to more expansion plans, including two restaurants and a cocktail bar that will be housed within the heritage-listed Coal Board Building at 169 Mary Street. Details on these concepts are being kept close to the chest, though one can assume that it will be a massive deal for the ongoing growth of Brisbane’s inner-city dining scene.
The Fox Hotel, South Brisbane: Ghanem Group – the hospitality heavyweights known for top Brisbane restaurants Donna Chang, Blackbird and Byblos – has announced its takeover of the Fox Hotel, which has been closed since suffering severe flood damage in 2022. The group has revealed plans to reopen the South Brisbane institution in late 2025 after extensive refurbishment undertaken in collaboration with Space Cubed Design Studio. The renovation will span all four floors, blending the hotel’s vibrant history with modern dining and drinking experiences. New features will include a Fish Lane entry, a ground-floor bar and bistro, a late-night cocktail lounge, a gaming area with a bottle shop, two function spaces, and a rooftop terrace offering views of The City. Click here to get the whole scoop!
You might like
Peter Hollands at the site of Shaman in The City | Credit: James Frostick
Shaman
Veteran Brisbane bar operator Peter Hollands, known for venues like Frog’s Hollow Saloon and Alice, is set to unveil his latest concept, Shaman – a subterranean cocktail bar opening in July beneath the historic 109 Edward Street in The City. Inspired by a fusion of ideas, Shaman draws creative energy from the music of Carlos Santana, particularly the albums Abraxas and Shaman, which helped shape its philosophical and aesthetic direction. The bar, co-run with general manager Tim Pope (formerly of Melbourne’s Par), will emphasise simplicity and balance, forgoing gimmicks in favour of thoughtful touches like fresh-juiced citrus, frozen glassware and table service. Its back bar will feature around 100 rums from key global regions alongside 50 tequilas, all supported by a concise, rotating cocktail list focused on margaritas, daiquiris and classics made on the fly. Designed to complement its moody, heritage-rich location, Shaman invites patrons to help define its identity and create a lived-in feel – as if the bar has operated for decades. Be sure to check out our interview with Pete Hollands about Shaman here.
Gigi’s Osteria, Newstead: A little while back, we hinted that the team behind celebrated eateries Beccofino and Julius was working on something new. The anticipation has almost killed us, but we’re excited to reveal that 2025 is the year we finally get to experience it. Come mid-year, Paolo Biscaro, Cordell Khoury and the team will lift the cloche on Gigi’s Osteria – a smart Italian eatery nestled in the ever-growing Long Island precinct in Newstead, joining the likes of Baker D. Chirico and Evra Marketplace. Gigi’s will be more refined than its older siblings – although a woodfired oven will be at the centre of its kitchen, we’re assured it certainly will not be a pizzeria. Instead, expect generous bowls of glistening handmade pasta, melt-in-your-mouth grilled fish and meat dishes kissed with the smoke of woodfire. The osteria will also boast a considered wine list, featuring an impressive selection of Italian and Australian drops. We’ll have more details on Gigi’s Osteria in the coming months, including its yet-to-be-announced chef. Keep an eye out for updates!
Subscribe for updates
Matt Kuhnemann and Ben McShane at Clarence’s Fish Lane location | Credit: James Frostick
Clarence
After three years of operation, Clarence – the acclaimed Woolloongabba neo-bistro known for its inventive produce-driven menu – is relocating from its charming heritage-listed Stanley Street site to a more accessible and high-profile location on Fish Lane in South Brisbane. Despite critical acclaim and a loyal following, co-owners Ben McShane and Matt Kuhnemann found their original location too isolated to build sustainable momentum, prompting the move to the precinct buzzing South Brisbane precinct, home to the likes of Southside, Maeve Wine, La Lune Wine Co and Julius Pizzeria. Their new 60-seat venue, designed by Alkot Studio, will blend Clarence’s warm aesthetic with a more polished, urban feel, while the menu will evolve to include more accessible options, expanded raw seafood offerings and large-format dishes – all while maintaining the restaurant’s core commitment to seasonal ingredients sourced from small producers. With a bolstered cocktail list and expanded wine selection, Clarence aims to transition from a once-in-a-while destination to a vibrant, weekly go-to, better positioned to serve both locals and visitors drawn by the cultural and culinary energy of Fish Lane. Read more about the news here.
The entrance to +81 Aizome Bar in West End | Credit: James Frostick
+81, West End: In the final weeks of 2024, a striking Ginza-inspired cocktail bar opened on Montague Road in West End. The ten-seat +81 Aizome Bar – an intimate blue-hued marvel – immediately set a new standard for high-end cocktail experiences in Brisbane, with master mixologist Tony Huang applying his cutting-edge ‘neo cocktail’ techniques to the menu. But +81 Aizome Bar was only part one of a greater whole. Taking shape next door was +81 – a kappo-style restaurant offering a full Japanese dining experience. Boasting a sleek and moody fit-out designed by Alexander Lotersztain, this restaurant is shaping up to be one of the most impressive arrivals of 2025. And best of all? You don’t have long to wait – +81 is tentatively set to open in February.
TABOO, Fortitude Valley: Later this year, the team behind Mr. Vain will be opening Thai-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar TABOO. Described as a ‘sanctuary in the sky’, TABOO will sit atop The Constance Hotel in Fortitude Valley and will boast a polished monochrome-green colour scheme. When it comes to its interpretation of Thai fare, TABOO’s offering will be rooted in tradition, but will have its own modern flavour. The share-style menu will feature market-style street eats, seafood and curries, while the bar’s beverage program will feature a 100-strong wine list (including a clutch of effervescent pet nat vino) and a number of punchy, flavour-forward cocktails. Read all about TABOO here.
Amy Harker and John Speranza at the future home of Josie’s | Credit: Clarissa Pabst
Josie’s, Stanthorpe: John Speranza and Amy Harker are set to open Josie’s, a new restaurant taking shape in Stanthorpe, later this year. The Josie’s concept began in 2022 as a Brisbane-based pop-up and quickly gained popularity for its unique menu (which blends Italian, Korean, and South American influences) and DIY ethos. After settling in Stanthorpe, a town known for its thriving tourism and regional food scene, the duo found a historic space on High Street for their permanent location. The 36-seat restaurant will focus on high-quality, locally-sourced produce, with a menu that combines a la carte and set-menu options, including dishes like Nashville-style fried chicken with ‘nduja butter and stracciatella. The drinks list will feature creative cocktails and an all-Australian wine selection, highlighting local producers from the Granite Belt and New England regions. The restaurant will open in mid-2025, maintaining its punk roots while aiming for a more refined, mature dining experience.